About Quizzes

Civil Unrest & Social Reforms

The Vietnam era, which ran from the 1960s into the 70s, was not just a time of war for the U.S., but also a time of significant civil unrest. John F. Kennedy came into the presidential office in 1961 on a tide of hope and promise, but his assassination in 1963 foreshadowed difficult years ahead for the U.S. U.S. engagement in the Vietnam war became increasingly unpopular, and war protests became violent and even deadly.

Other social reform movements also gained prominence. The push for civil rights for black Americans, strengthened by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., resulted in passage of several key pieces of legislation. Other reform movements, such as gay rights and the American Indian Movement organized and became active. The feminist movement, the Supreme Court ruling on Roe vs. Wade, and widespread adoption and acceptance of the pill led to new freedoms and reproductive autonomy for women.

Politically, it was a turbulent time, with the assassinations of President Kennedy, senator Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and other social movement leaders. The turbulence continued with the Watergate scandal and eventual resignation of president Richard Nixon. High inflation and economic instability marred the presidency of Carter. By the time Ronald Reagan won the presidential election in 1980 the country was ready for a sense of stability.

    JFK & VIETNAM

  • Kennedy - John Fitzgerald Kennedy was one of America's most charismatic and popular presidents. His heroism during World War II has been well documented. His leadership and no-blink courage during the Cuban Mis... Continue Reading
  • Bay of Pigs - The Bay of Pigs invasion was intended to provoke popularity for an uprising against Fidel Castro, who had overthrown American-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.... Continue Reading
  • Cuban Missile Crisis - The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 brought the world close to a nuclear confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union.... Continue Reading
  • Vietnam War Era - Abuses perpetrated against the North Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian people, which began as far back as the French occupation in the 1840s, galvanized many to fight a 30-year battle for their event... Continue Reading
  • Vietnam War Time Table
    • CIVIL RIGHTS & SOCIAL REFORM

  • Martin Luther King Jr. - Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929.... Continue Reading
  • Civil Rights - Rapid expansion of civil liberties and rights in America occurred during the last half of the 20th century.... Continue Reading
  • Civil Rights Act - The Civil Rights Act of 1964, was a watershed piece of legislation that “outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” Originally conceived to protect the rights of... Continue Reading
  • Lyndon B. Johnson - Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) dreamed of "A Great Society" for the American people. In his first years as president he won passage of one of the most far-reaching legislative agendas in the nation's his... Continue Reading
  • Roe v. Wade - The name Norma McCorvey is just a name to most Americans and the world.... Continue Reading
    • POLITICAL SCANDAL & INSTABILITY

  • Nixon - Richard M. Nixon was one of the two most successful national politicians in American history. He won four national elections, twice for the vice presidency and twice for the presidency. Only Franklin ... Continue Reading
  • Watergate - Before the summer of 1972, the word "Watergate" meant nothing more than an office and luxurious apartment complex in Washington, D.C.... Continue Reading
  • Kissinger - Henry Kissinger, also known as "Henry the K" and "Dr. K," was arguably one of the single most visible, powerful, and controversial figure in world politics the U.S. has ever fielded.... Continue Reading
  • Carter - On October 1, 1924, newborn James Earl Carter Jr. was destined to become the first U.S. president to be born in a hospital.... Continue Reading
  • Oil Crisis - The oil crisis of 1973 grew out of the decision by OPEC to declare an oil embargo as a result of America`s decision to resupply the Israeli military during the Yom Kippur War. In the United States, it... Continue Reading
  • Iran Hostage Crisis - On November 4, 1979, an angry mob of some 300 to 500 "students" who called themselves "Imam's Disciples," laid siege to the American Embassy in Teheran, Iran, to capture and hold hostage 66 U.S. citiz... Continue Reading
    • PROMINENT SPORTS FIGURES

  • Muhammad Ali - Muhammad Ali is a former American boxer, one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time. He is known the world over for his boxing career as well as his politcal activism. He received Sports Ill... Continue Reading
  • Hank Aaron - "Hammerin' Hank," they called him — which was fitting for a man who made Major League Baseball pitchers literally quake like aspens when he strode to the plate.... Continue Reading